Summary: We will not investigate these complaints about matters relating to child protection and domestic violence. The complaints are late and I can see no good reason why the complainant could not have come to us sooner.

The complaint

1. Ms X complains about matters which occurred between 2022 and early 2024 in relation to child protection and domestic violence issues.
2. She says this has caused her emotional and financial distress.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

3. We cannot investigate late complaints unless we decide there are good reasons. Late complaints are when someone takes more than 12 months to complain to us about something a council. (Local Government Act 1974, sections 26B and 34D, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

4. I considered information provided by the complainant.
5. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

6. The law says someone should complain to us within 12 months of becoming aware of the matters they are unhappy about.
7. The events Ms X complains about took place between 2022 and early 2024. Ms X complained to us in September 2025 which means they are late.
8. Having considered the information provided by Ms X I can see no good reason why she could not complain earlier. Therefore, we will not investigate now.

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Final decision

9. We will not investigate Ms X’s complaints because they are late.

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman